40 U.S.C. § 14508 — Economic and energy development initiative

(a) Projects To Be Assisted. The Commission may give technical assistance, grants, contracts, or other funding to people or organizations in the Appalachian region for projects that: (1) promote energy efficiency to boost the region's economic competitiveness; (2) increase use of renewable energy resources, particularly biomass, to produce alternative transportation fuels, electricity, and heat; and (3) support developing conventional energy resources for electricity and heat, using advanced technology that achieves a substantial cut in emissions, including greenhouse gases, compared to today's baseline. (b) Limitation on Available Amounts. Funding for a qualifying activity is capped at: (1) 50 percent of cost normally; (2) 80 percent in a county with a "distressed" designation under section 14526; or (3) 70 percent in a county with an "at-risk" designation under section 14526. (c) Sources of Assistance. Subject to subsection (b), grants can be combined with other federal programs or with money from any other source. (d) Federal Share. Even if another federal law caps the federal share of a project's cost, this section's money can raise that share as much as the Commission decides is appropriate.